Iran, Venezuela call for expansion of mutual relations

Tehran, Nov 29, IRNA -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Monday conferred
with Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi
Rafsanjani on expansion of mutual ties as well as regional
developments.

According to the Public Relations Department of the Expediency
Council, at the meeting Rafsanjani referred to the recent success of
the Venezuelan people vis-a-vis the U.S. interventionist policy and
said any successful and durable political and social move requires
public support.

In case governments pursue the public interests, the arrogant
powers will not be able to threat them, he said.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is ready to put its experiences at
the disposal of the Venezuelan people, he said.

Venezuela should pay due attention to social, economic and
political issues to resolve its domestic problems, he said adding that
meeting social needs, proper distribution of facilities, wealth
and construction could bring hope for any nation.

In expanding its ties with the Latin American countries, the
Islamic Republic of Iran gives priority to ties with Venezuela, he
said adding that national spirit and public opinion are effective in
promoting ties between the two sides officials, he said.

The Venezuelan president, for his part, highlighted his country's
political, social and economic situation and said when the hegemonic
powers threaten the world there is no alternative but to become
powerful.

The U.S. exert pressures on Iran while it is quite confident
that the country does not seek to gain access to nuclear weapons,
he said.

Under such pretext, the U.S seeks to prevent Iran's
developments, the same policy that it pursues in Venezuela, he pointed
out.

Lauding Iran's stands as well as the country's support for the
Venezuelan people, he said the Islamic Republic of Iran helped the
Venezuelan people and government at hard times.

Lauding the ongoing development plans as well as reconstruction of
the country, the Venezuelan president called for use of valuable
experiences of Iran in social, economic, defense, commercial and
technical fields.

At the end of the meeting, the Venezuelan president extended an
invitation to Hashemi Rafsanjani to pay an official visit to the
country which was welcomed by him.